10 Movies That Subtly Homaged Other Movies

Panned by critics upon its release, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas went on to be regarded as a cult classic following re-evaluations of the film's appeal. Directed by Terry Gilliam, it is based on a loosely autobiographical novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson. Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro play Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, a pair who travel to Las Vegas with journalistic ambitions only to have a psychedelic drug binge change the tone of their visit.

Both Depp and Del Toro are in great form in Fear and Loathing, skewering the American dream with the delivery of their sharp satirical dialogue. It was a passion project of sorts for Depp, who was both friends with and an admirer of Thompson at the time. He went to live with Thompson for months to immerse himself in the role of Duke, a tactic that worked incredibly well.

It makes sense that he was open to a character callback when he made Rango 13 years later. It involves a scene in which Rango, voiced by Depp, is being thrown from car to car on a long, open road.

Rango, struggling to hold on to the spoke of a bike tyre, is sent flying through the air and lands on the windshield of a convertible. We see that it is the same convertible containing Duke, voiced by Depp again, and Gonzo on their journey. Driving the car, a startled Duke shouts 'there's another one' at the relaxing Gonzo in the back.

This is a reference to a famous scene in Fear and Loathing when Duke sees lizards instead of people in a hotel bar. It's a great nod and an idea of what Fear and Loathing would have been like as an animated adaptation.